I've been hearing mixed things about how the academic calendar works in college, especially regarding the number of semesters in a year. I'm trying to get a sense of how the school year is divided, and whether there are any differences between semester-based colleges, quarter-based ones, or any other system.
Would love any input from current college students or anyone who remembers their college schedule, as I try to plan out my future academic life!
The academic schedule of a college may vary depending on numerous factors including the institution's tradition, academic discipline, or country of location, but most colleges in the United States typically operate under two main types: the semester system and the quarter system.
The Semester System is the most common and typically includes two semesters (Fall and Spring), each lasting around 15 to 16 weeks. Some colleges may also offer an optional, shorter Summer semester. In this system, you'll generally see students taking four to six courses per semester depending on the credit hours associated with each course.
On the other hand, the Quarter System divides the academic year into four terms: Fall, Winter, Spring, and often an optional Summer term. Each term lasts about 10-13 weeks, and students typically take three to four courses per quarter. Schools that use this system include some University of California campuses and Northwestern University.
It's important to note that while the number of courses or credits you take may vary between these two systems, the total workload of a full academic year is typically equivalent. Therefore, the choice between a semester or quarter system may come down to your personal preference for course pacing and structure, rather than the total number of courses you'd take.
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